Davis DLS8 - opinions please

Bill · 15-08-2003, 10:51 AM

I have been offered one off these from a local shop; they are looking £1000 quid which I think is too much.

Does anyone have any experience of this model or knowledge of what a 2nd hand one of these would cost.confused:

(They say they allowed this for a trade in, and they are just looking to cover the costs)

Cheers,

Bill:

Silversurfer · 16-08-2003, 8:12 AM

Bill
I think the max I would pay for a DLS8 would be £600 if it was in good condition and had about 1000 lamp hours.
My pj is a DLS8
Regards

Mark Grant · 16-08-2003, 9:07 AM

Hello Bill,

£1000 is too much, I would say no more than around £700,
so maybe offer £600 as silver surffer says, and see how low they will go.

The DLS8 is a great projector for the money when used with a good HCPC.

Mark.

Bill · 16-08-2003, 12:41 PM

I think I'll make an offer of £600 - see what he says;

probably throw me out of the shop though

Bill

Gary Lightfoot · 17-08-2003, 10:40 AM

As mark says, it's a great machine with an HTPC, but not very good on it's own. You'll need an external scaler at least, so you have to take that into account when you buy.

I sold mine with less than 400 hours on the lamp for a lot less than £1000, so aim for £700 at most.

HTPCs can be made for around £200 - £250 for a basic machine, and around £360 for something better. Scalers such as an Iscan will cost around £400, so mention that when bargaining with them.

Gary.

Adam M · 17-08-2003, 12:47 PM

I have one of these in pieces requiring a power supply.

If any one knows where I can get one from please let me know.

REplaced it with an hs10, but was happy with it before hand.

Silversurfer · 17-08-2003, 1:40 PM

Adam
Contact www.cavltd.com they are the UK distributor for Davis spares and service
Regards

Gary Lightfoot · 17-08-2003, 10:44 PM

Forgot to add - for £1000 you can buy an Infocus X1, and that's a little better image wise than the Davis, plus it has Faroudja DCDi - basicaly a built in scaler, so for that money you can get a brand new machine with 2 years warranty and up 2000:1 contrast (1400:1 in movie mode).

HTH

Gary.

Bill · 18-08-2003, 1:53 AM

Infocus X1:

InFocus X1
RRP: £1299
Our price: £892 excl VAT
(£1048.1 including VAT)

This is the best price I can find so far;

http://www.projectorpoint.co.uk/InFocus_X1.htm#

can anyone do any better?

Bill

Gary Lightfoot · 18-08-2003, 11:58 AM

Seems like a steal.

Have you demo'd a DLP projector yet? Maybe you could try the Davis and see if you suffer from the rainbow effect. If not, I think you know what to do.

Gary.

Bill · 18-08-2003, 12:38 PM

I have seen a few dlp projectors, and have never noticed this rainbow effect so far.

(I only have sight in one eye, so maybe I never will.... it might not effect me)

Bill

I'm going to the shop now, to see what they can offer, although to be fair I'm nearly sold on the infocus.

Gary Lightfoot · 18-08-2003, 12:54 PM

Let us know what happens ok?

Gary.

Bill · 19-08-2003, 9:08 PM

No go, I suppose rightly so her said with shop costs, he's unable to match any online prices.

Then I got the big bad speech about ordering from people online.....

Cant be too hard on the guy though.

Bill

Gary Lightfoot · 19-08-2003, 10:39 PM

Did you see the Davis up and running, or just chat? Is the X1 still on the cards?

Gary

Bill · 19-08-2003, 10:46 PM

I seen the davis's bigger bro running and was well impressed.

The x1 seems the more viable option now. Though the guy in the shop was trying to tell me that because it wasnt a dedicated projector for homemovies taht it wouldnt be as good. He can get me that model fro £1300.

Cant find anywhere to demo it over here, but the reviews are all positive as far as I can see.... for a first time projector.

He is also selling the iscan for £750 which seems over the top also.

Decent bloke, just too pricey for me.

Bill

Gary Lightfoot · 19-08-2003, 11:02 PM

The X1 is more 'dediacted' than the Davis, as it switches off the white segment in the colour wheel for better colour rendition in movie mode. It also crops the film rather than downscales so that you get a better image - although you're losing a little off the top/bottom and sides, it's no worse than the overscan you get on tvs. In fact it's probably better.

The Iscan can be had for under £400 brand new on-line, and even less second hand, so do look around. You probably won't need it for the X1 as it has Faroudja processing built in, and will do the job of the Iscan for you.

Gary.